Jackfruit

Find out information on current partnerships and research activities with the jackfruit growers.

Jackfruit improvement

This project concluded in October 2024, the final project report and related Tissue Culture protocol will be available in 2025.

The “demonstrating next generation orchards project” looked at orchard production technology suitable for tropical fruit producers in northern Australian. The focus was on increasing annual productivity and profitability whilst managing cyclone risks through high-density and trellised plantings for cyclone resilience, whilst simultaneously evaluating the commercial suitability of propagation.

The trial and demonstration sites were based in Carnarvon and Kununurra, Western Australia; Darwin and Katherine, Northern Territory; and Bellenden Ker, Atherton, Mutchilba and Townsville, Queensland.

Funding body and partners

This project includes co-investment as cash and in-kind co-contributions from the Co-operative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, the Queensland Government, Western Australia Government and Northern Territory Government. The project is led by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries with project partners the Northern Territory DAF and Northern Territory Farmers Association; the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Western Australia and GrowCom in Queensland. Commercial horticulture partners include Manbulloo Limited and Aus-Ex.

Objectives

  1. NT DAF trialled three lines of jackfruit propagated from cuttings and grafted plants in both high density freestanding, and trellised formations.
  2. The project investigated propagation techniques to improve outcomes, including Tissue Culture (micro-propagation).

Further information

Useful links

Contact

plant.industries@nt.gov.au

Jackfruit is a tropical, exotic fruit crop, grown commercially in countries such as Asia, India and Bangladesh. In Australia the industry is concentrated across the northern regions of the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. Whilst it is a major crop in other countries, in Australia it has been considered a minor or emerging industry for more than a decade. One key impediment to the growth of the Australian industry is market acceptance and consumer behaviour. Over the past 20 years a number of reports have consistently identified similar themes in terms of growing the domestic jackfruit industry through processed products. This project aims to reduce these barriers through the continued development of convenient, and appropriately portioned processed products.

Objectives

  1. To develop industry capacity and supply chains, including grower partner plantings, the engagement of commercial processors in product development and industry engagement.
  2. To refine the development of three promising products through to commercialisation.
  3. To determine the harvest window and quality specifications for fruit intended for processed products.
  4. To engage retailers in the project through small in-store consumer acceptance trials.

Funding body and partners

This project is funded by AgriFutures Australia, with the support and collaboration of the University of Melbourne.

Further information

Read more about:

Useful links

Contact

plant.industries@nt.gov.au

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